[279] Unity Luncheon honors four 'unsung heros' for community service

MURFREESBORO —
With more than 200 admirers and supporters looking on, four area pastors were
honored Tuesday for their community service work during the 17th annual Unity
Luncheon inside MTSU’s James Union Building.

The honorees at this year’s luncheon were:

The Rev. Freddie B.
Carpenter, the sixth pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Walter
Hill, where he has led the congregation since 1988.

Elder Franklin Hollie, the
pastor and founder New Hope Church of God in Christ in Murfreesboro, which
was established in 1989.

The Rev. Tolbert Randolph,
a Murfreesboro native, who has pastored Providence Missionary Baptist
Church in Murfreesboro for 35 years.

The Rev. Richard Sibert,
who has served as pastor of the Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church in
Murfreesboro for 38 years.

Vincent Windrow, director of the MTSU Office of
Intercultural and Diversity Affairs, said these “unsung heroes” were lauded not
only for their commitment to their respective flocks but also for the impact
they have had on the many MTSU students who attend their churches — whether they’re
local students with deep roots in the congregations or students away from home
who need spiritual guidance and support as they pursue their degrees.

“There were some more people who we could have celebrated,
but these were the four who were chosen,” Windrow said, “not just because they
contributed, but because they contributed under the radar, and it goes
unheralded for the most part.”

The honorees were moved by the recognition.

“It really makes you feel great and humble for the
recognition you have received,” Sibert said after the luncheon. “Sometimes you
don’t think people really appreciate what you do, but this is a great testimony
to the fact that they do appreciate what we do in the community as pastors and
leaders … it’s a great honor.”

Dr. Forrest E. Harris, president of American Baptist College
in Nashville, gave a rousing keynote address focusing on the “purpose of
education” — at times drawing a variety of affirmations from event attendees as
he harkened to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s reference to people of all races
being woven into a “single garment of destiny.”

“That single garment of destiny places us in a profound
interrelatedness,” Harris said. “What directly affects one indirectly affects
all.”

Harris challenged the audience to look beyond themselves to
make sure those around them — from relatives to neighbors to strangers — have
an opportunity to develop their minds for the greater good.

“I am convinced, after nearly 40 years as a public educator,
a theological educator, that the life of a mind to develop its intellect and
capacity for good, is the most treasured gift with which each of us is
endowed,” Harris said.

“It is our human and moral obligation to make sure that no
mind goes to waste. The one thing that is common to our humanity is being
created with the capacity to think, to learn and grow as human beings.”

That growth doesn’t occur in a vacuum, he noted, but within
a broader human community that thrives best when unity toward a worthy goal —
such as the civil rights movement — prevails. He cautioned that a truly good
education goes well beyond developing a strong intellect.

“Hitler was a genius … but he used his intellect to organize
evil,” Harris noted, whereas other human rights crusaders such as King, Ghandi
and Jesus Christ showed how “a good mind and a good heart” could be forged “to
create a deep sense of justice.”

“I want education to teach brothers and sisters how to treat
each other,” he said.

“We’re here to honor four extraordinary spiritual leaders of
our very own,” Bonner, who leads the Office for Community Engagement and
Support as an assistant to the president, told the crowd.

“Their commitment to the local community is commendable, and
we salute each of them for their very deserving recognition. Thank you,
pastors, for showing us what exceptional service really is.”

Before Harris’ remarks, the audience recited the True Blue
pledge led by Caroline Bizot, assistant director of multicultural recruitment
and retention. The luncheon concluded with a special audio/visual presentation
of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” featuring a slideshow of King throughout the civil
rights movement.

The luncheon was part of the university’s Black History
Month events. For details on other Black History Month activities, visit http://mtsunews.com/black-history-month-2013
or contact Windrow at 615-898-5812 or via email at vincent.windrow@mtsu.edu.

About MTSU

Founded in 1911 as
one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest
and largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more
than 25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in
Tennessee.

MTSU remains
committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing
atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of
nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's
and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest
students from Tennessee and around the world.

MTSU is committed to
developing a community devoted to learning, growth, and service. We hold these
values dear, and there’s a simple phrase that conveys them: “I am True
Blue.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue.
For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.